This page last reviewed October 27, 2009

Off-Road Large Spark-Ignition (Gasoline and LPG) Equipment Activities

This area of the Off-Road Mobile Sources website pertains to off-road large spark-ignition (LSI) equipment greater than 25 horsepower, including farm, construction, and industrial equipment, powered by gasoline and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), and other alternate fuels. Typical applications that use LSI engines include forklifts, specialty vehicles, airport service vehicles, large turf care equipment, portable generators, and a wide array of other agricultural, construction, and general industrial equipment. The U.S. EPA has sole authority to control new farm and construction equipment under 175 horsepower. To find out more about the regulatory activities and related information, please see the links below.

What's New

Posted October 27, 2009

Posted September 15, 2009:

NEW! A tutorial on the Fleet Requirements of the LSI Regulation is now available (PDF – 486K)

Posted May 18, 2009:

A new retrofit emission control system has been verified for use on LSI engines with a displacement exceeding three liters and the Exective Order is posted here.

Posted April 16, 2009:

The California Air Resources Board (ARB) will allow fleet operators to exclude fully emission controlled late model year fleets and LSI equipment with engine displacements greater than three liters from their fleet average calculations until April 15, 2010.  In addition, the ARB has agreed to allow LSI equipment with greater than three liter engines and retrofit kits for LSI equipment with greater than three liter engines that were leased or purchased on or before April 15, 2010, to be incorporated into the fleet average calculation for determining compliance with the January 1, 2009 fleet average emission level standard provided the equipment is in inventory and the kits are installed by December 31, 2010. LSI Program Advisory 08-03 provides more details.

Posted December 18, 2008:

The California Air Resources Board (ARB) will allow operators of airport ground support equipment (GSE) to exclude gasoline-fueled GSE from the non‑forklift fleet average calculation for determining compliance with the January 1, 2009 fleet average emission level standard. LSI Advisory 08-02 provides more details.

Posted December 17, 2008:

At its November 21, 2008 hearing, the Board adopted amendments to the existing off‑road large spark-ignition (LSI) engine regulations to include more stringent exhaust emission standards and evaporative emission standards for new LSI engines less than or equal to one liter. Additionally, the adopted regulations allow LSI engines used in vehicles similar to off-highway recreational vehicles to use the recreational vehicle test procedures and certification procedures.  These changes do not affect the in-use fleet average requirements.

Posted December 15, 2008:

• Fact Sheets for the LSI regulation are now available

Posted December 11, 2008:

The California Air Resources Board (ARB) will not begin enforcement of the January 1, 2009 fleet average emission level standard contained within the Fleet Requirements for Off-Road Large Spark‑Ignition (LSI) Engine‑Powered Forklifts and Other Industrial Equipment until April 1, 2009, at the earliest  In addition, the ARB has agreed to allow pieces of equipment and retrofit kits that were purchased on or before March 31, 2009, to be incorporated into the fleet average calculation for determining compliance with the January 1, 2009 fleet average emission level standard. LSI Advisory 08-01 provides more details.

Posted October 16, 2008:

On November 21, 2008, the Air Resources Board will consider proposed amendments to the California regulations and test procedure for large spark-ignition engines with an engine displacement less than or equal to one liter (LSI ≤ 1 L). Specifically, the discussion will focus on standards for LSI ≤ 1 L and other minor changes to the regulatory language.  The meeting notice, staff report, and all other regulatory documents can be found at the following link:

• LSI Board Hearing Regulatory Materials

Posted July 31, 2008:

A frequently asked questions document for Large Spark Ignition (LSI) Engine Fleet Requirements is now available.

Posted June 30, 2008: 

Previous Executive Orders have been modified to include wording allowing retrofit installations on equipment that have undergone fuel conversions.New Executive Orders are posted.

Posted March 26, 2008:

On April 21, 2008, ARB hosted a public workshop to discuss proposed amendments to the California regulations and test procedure for small off-road engines (SORE) and large spark-ignition engines with an engine displacement less than or equal to one liter (LSI ≤ 1 L). Specifically, the discussion will focus on standards for LSI ≤ 1 L, modifications to the SORE emissions credit program, and other minor changes to the regulatory language.  This is the second workshop in continuation of the rulemaking process.  The proposed regulations are scheduled to be presented to the Board at the November 20-21, 2008 hearing. (Note: Board Hearing date change)
Workshop Notice
Draft LSI Regulation Order
Draft LSI Test Plan
Presentation (added April 22, 2008)

Posted November 5, 2007:

A new verified retrofit emission control system has been verfied and the Executive Order is posted here.

Posted October 10, 2007:

On November 14, 2007, ARB hosted a public workshop to discuss the recent amendments to California's regulations and test procedures for new SORE and equipment and LSI engines and equipment with engines < 1 liter displacement. Specifically, the discussion will focus on standards for LSI engines<1 liter displacement, modifications to the SORE emissions credit program, and other minor changes in the SORE regulatory language.
Workshop Notice

Posted June 29, 2007:

A new verified retrofit emission control system has been verified and the Executive Order is posted. Also, past interim verification letters have been converted into Executive Orders.  Executive Orders

Posted February 1, 2007:

A Second Notice of Public Availability of Modified Text (2nd 15-day Notice) has been posted. The deadline for public comment is February 16, 2007.
Second Notice of Public Availability of Modified Text
Attachment 1 - Modifications to the Original Proposed Regulation Order

Posted December 1, 2006:

We have posted the Hearing Action and Supplemental 15 Day Notices

Posted October 19, 2006:

We have posted the presentation from the May 25, 2006 Board Hearing. Presentation

Posted June 30, 2006:

We have posted additional information for Nett Technologies Inc. pertaining to the name of the emission control system.
Nett Technologies Inc. information

Posted May 31, 2006:

At its May 25, 2006, board meeting, the Air Resources Board voted to adopt the rules for new emission standards, fleet requirements, and test procedures for forklifts and other industrial equipment.
News Release

Posted May 31, 2006:

We have posted an additional interim letter of verification in accordance with Mail Out #MSC 05-14 dated April 11, 2005.
Interim Letter

In an effort to support introduction of equipment for regulatory compliance or incentive programs in California, ARB staff is using the Interim Verification Procedure to evaluate LSI emission control systems. New information will be posted as additional systems are given interim verifications. Please check periodically for updates.

The proposed procedure will remain as part of LSI regulatory standards to be developed and considered for approval by the Board in 2006. A permanent Executive Order will replace this letter when ARB staff finalizes a proposal for LSI engines before the Board.

Posted April 26, 2006:

The "Notice of Postponement of Rulemaking Action for the Hearing to Consider Adoption of New Emission Standards, Fleet Requirements and Test Procedures for Forklift and Other Industrial Equipment" has been posted to the documents section.
Documents Section

Posted April 6, 2006:

Air Resources Board (ARB) consideration of the LSI rulemaking proposal has been postponed and will be rescheduled to a later date. The month has not been determined at this time, but consideration could be as early as the May 25-26, 2006 Board hearing in Sacramento.

The ARB will post a "Notice of Recalendaring of Rulemaking Action for the Hearing to Consider Adoption of New Emission Standards, Fleet Requirements and Test Procedures for Forklift and Other Industrial Equipment" to the LSI Regulatory Activities web page once the item has been formally rescheduled. Contents of that notice will be provided to the LSI list serve at that time.

The record remains open and all comments regarding the proposal are welcome.

Posted March 12, 2006:

The Notice of Public Hearing to Consider Adoption of New Emission Standards, Fleet requirements, and Test Procedures for Forklift and Other Industrial Equipment(Notice) is now available. The Notice and Initial Statement of Reasons (ISOR or Staff Report) are accessible from the regulatory activities web site.
Regulatory Activities

Posted December 13, 2005:

We have posted an interim letter of verification in accordance with Mail Out #MSC 05-14 dated April 11, 2005.
Interim Letter

In an effort to support introduction of equipment for regulatory compliance or incentive programs in California, ARB staff is using the Interim Verification Procedure to evaluate LSI emission control systems. New information will be posted as additional systems are given interim verifications. Please check periodically for updates.

The proposed procedure will remain as part of LSI regulatory standards to be developed and considered for approval by the Board in 2006. A permanent Executive Order will replace this letter when ARB staff finalizes a proposal for LSI engines before the Board.

Posted September 26, 2005:

We have posted a "Notice of Indefinite Postponement of Rulemaking Action for Public Hearing to Consider Adoption of Emission Standards and Test Procedures for New 2007 and Later Off-Road Large Spark-Ignition (LSI) Engines and Fleet Requirements for Users of Off-Road LSI Engines" here.

Posted June 30, 2005:

The continuation of the Off-Road Large Spark Ignition (LSI) Engine Board item scheduled for July has been postponed to September 15 & 16, 2005. The meeting will be held at the South Coast Air Quality Management District Offices.

Posted June 30, 2005:

The presentation from the June 23, 2005 Board Hearing is now available.

• Presentation - Control Measure to Reduce Emissions frm Off-Road Large SPark-Ignition (LSI) ENgines, ARB (PDF 613K)

Posted May 6, 2005:

The "Notice of Public Hearing to Consider Adoption of Emission Standards and Test Procedures for New 2007 and Later Off-Road Large Spark-Ignition (LSI) Engines and Fleet Requirements for Users of Off-Road LSI Engines" and all of the regulatory documents for this item, including the "Staff Report: Initial Statement of Reasons for Proposed Rulemaking" and its attachments are now available here.

Posted April 28, 2005:

The presentation for the Draft Proposal to Reduce Emissions from Off-Road Large Spark-Ignition Equipment Greater Than 25 Horsepower that was discused at the March 22 and March 24, 2005 workshop is now available.

• Presentation - Draft Regulatory Proposal and Draft Retrofit Verification Protocol, ARB (PDF 613K)

Posted April 18, 2005:

The Interim Verification Procedure For Retrofit Systems To Reduce Hydrocarbon And Oxides Of Nitrogen Emissions From Off-Road Large Spark Ignition Engines And Equipment Greater Than 25 Horsepower is now available.

• Verification Letter (PDF - 84K)
  • Attachment 1: Verification Process (PDF 287K)
  • Attachment 2: Verification Process Flowchart (PDF 55K)
  • Attachment 3: Verification Testing Flowchart (PDF 56K)

Posted March 16, 2005:

The Draft Proposal to Reduce Emissions from Off-Road Large Spark-Ignition Equipment Greater Than 25 Horsepower to be discussed at the March 22 and March 24, 2005 workshop is now available here.

The Corrected Manufacturers Advisory Correspondence (MAC) for voluntary early certification of low-emission off-road LSI engines is now available here.

Posted March 1, 2005:

A public workshop for Off-Road Large Spark Ignition Equipment will be held on March 22, 2005, in Fresno and will be repeated on March 24, 2005, in Sacramento.
Workshop Notice

Posted January 26, 2005:

The Manufacturers Advisory Correspondence (MAC) for voluntary early certification of low-emission off-road LSI engines is now available here.

Posted August 27, 2004:

The public workshop that was to be held in Fresno on September 14 is postponed. We will advice interested parties when a new date is available.

Posted August 24, 2004:

The staff presentation for the public workshop being held on August 25, 2004 in El Monte and August 26, 2004 in Sacramento will be available prior to the meetings.
Presentation

Posted August 17, 2004:

The agenda is now available for the August 18, 2004, working group meeting.
Agenda

TheDraft Proposal for a Retrofit Verification Protocol for Off-Road Large Spark-Ignition Equipment Greater Than 25 Horsepower is now available.

• Summary
• Draft Protocol Regulatory Language

Posted August 12, 2004:

The Draft Proposal to Reduce Emissions from Off-Road Large Spark-Ignition Equipment Greater Than 25 Horsepower is now available here.

Posted August 3, 2004:

The agenda for the August 4, 2004, working group meeting is now available.
Agenda

Posted July 27, 2004:

A public workshop for Off-Road Large Spark Ignition Equipment will be held on August 25, 2004, in El Monte and will be repeated on August 26, 2004, in Sacramento.
Workshop Notice

Off-Road Mobile Sources Emission Reduction Program
Diesel Activities - Certifications & Verifications